How to use Voice Control in macOS Big Sur

The Voice Control feature in macOS Big Sur (and back to Catalina) allows you to control your Mac entirely with their voice. Here’s how to use it:

Open System Preferences.

Choose Accessibility.

On the Accessibility page, tap Dictation under the Motor section.

Check the box for Enable Voice Control.

With it enabled, you can click Wake on the Voice Control icon to “wake” it up. Click Sleep, and it will take a nap.

Voice Control uses your default language you’ve established for your Mac. However, you can change if you wish by:

Opening System Preferences and choose Accessories.

On the Accessibility page, tap Voice Control and select the Enable Voice Control option.

Click on the pull-down menu next to Language and select the language you prefer.

If you have an external microphone connected to your Mac, you have to choose between it and the computer’s built-in microphone. Or you can select Automatic and have your Mac make the choice.

You can also select whether to have a sound played when a command is recognized.

To turn off Voice Control, just say Turn Off  Voice Control.

You can add custom words to ensure that Voice Control knows the words you commonly use. You can also choose from a list of pre-determined commands. Or you can create your own. 

If you need to correct a word, there’s a Voice Control interface. Ask to correct a word, and you’ll be presented with a list of suggested replacements.